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Developments in Britain's child sex-abuse scandal

LONDON (AP) — The BBC's top executive, George Entwistle, resigned Saturday night amid a flood of controversy over the broadcaster's handling of child sex-abuse cases.

FILE - This March 25, 2008 file photo shows Jimmy Savile holding a medal in London. At Savile's funeral in 2011, the priest delivering the homily was emphatic: the DJ and television host "can face eternal life with confidence." But a year on, Savile's reputation is in ruins. Police have branded him one of Britain's worst sex offenders, accused of assaulting underage girls over half a century. Like those who feted and praised him on that November day, millions are wondering: How could he have duped so many for so long? (AP Photo/Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

His resignation caps a difficult month for the broadcaster, which first came under fire for not airing allegations of child sex abuse committed by one of its star hosts, the late Jimmy Savile. Just weeks later, the BBC's prestigious investigative program, "Newsnight," wrongly implicated a British politician in a child sex-abuse scandal.

It was the same program that had earlier shelved a report into Savile.

Here are key developments in the scandal:

Oct. 29, 2011: Longtime BBC children's television host Jimmy Savile dies at the age of 84. The eccentric, platinum haired entertainer, known for his garish tracksuits and Cuban cigars, is hailed as a true English eccentric when he is buried 10 days later. He had received a knighthood and numerous other honors.

December 2011: The long-trusted and publicly funded BBC pulls a "Newsnight" program that would have linked Savile to the repeated sexual abuse of children during his career at the broadcaster. Instead, the BBC shows tribute programs praising Savile, who had been active in numerous charities.

Sept. 17, 2012: George Entwistle named BBC director general, succeeding Mark Thompson, who is becoming chief executive of The New York Times Co. in November.

Oct. 2, 2012: "Newsnight" editor Peter Rippon writes a blog post saying the Savile program was shelved for editorial reasons, denies it was part of any BBC cover-up.

Oct. 3, 2012: The extended media silence about Savile's sex abuse is broken with a documentary by the BBC's main commercial rival, ITV. The broadcast exposes the dark side of Savile's life, which had been rumored but not documented. The show prompts a probe by police, which later leads to a formal criminal investigation into alleged sexual abuse by Savile and others.

Oct. 12, 2012: With the police investigation producing many new leads, BBC director general George Entwistle announces the broadcaster will launch an official review of its culture and practices at the time of Savile's offenses and investigate why the earlier "Newsnight" program was shelved.